2025 Strategic Visioning and Planning Process

Overview

The 2025 Susquehanna Annual Conference session affirmed a resolution calling upon the Missional Cabinet to initiate and oversee a Strategic Visioning and Planning Process, a Spirit-led journey to discern and articulate a faithful, forward-looking roadmap for our shared life in Christ in the coming years.

The Strategic Visioning and Planning Process will:

  1. Secure input from clergy, laity, elected conference leaders, staff, ministry partners, community members, and other key stakeholders.
  2. Assess the strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and desired results for the Susquehanna Conference.
  3. Explore and identify opportunities for collaboration with our missional partner, the Upper New York Conference, that enable amplified impact and good stewardship.
  4. Recommend the 2026 Annual Conference session with a Ministry Action Plan that includes, but is not limited to, the following elements:
    1. Vision statement
    2. Core values
    3. Cultural shifts needed
    4. Structural adaptations needed
    5. Missional strategic direction with appropriate goals, objectives, and actionable strategies for the next 3-5 years.
    6. Ensure alignment with the mission, vision, doctrine, and polity of the United Methodist Church.

You may read the approved resolution here.

Serving on the Visioning Task Force are:

  • Jennifer Saunders, laity
  • Joanne Konick-McMahan, laity
  • Melanie Feldner, laity
  • Joyce Davis, laity
  • Pastor Kelly Kocher-Ross, clergy
  • Rev. Larry Leland, clergy
  • Rev. Beth Jones, clergy
  • Rev. Kris Sledge, clergy
  • Rev. Jake Waybright, clergy
  • Rev. Daniel Wilt, clergy
  • Pastor Pat Shope, clergy
  • Rev. Dr. Kathleen Kind, clergy

Preparing for the Journey

To support congregations in this time of spiritual preparation, we invite you to engage with Preparing for the Journey, a three-part prayer resource offering monthly themes, Scripture reflections, prayer cues, and conversation starters. This resource is designed for use in worship, small groups, and leadership gatherings, and may be adapted freely for your context. What’s most important is that we pray together. View/download the prayer resource.

Contact: Kathleen Kind, Director of Connectional Ministries

Frequently Asked Questions

Coming soon